Q&A for How to Use a Centrifuge

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What are the centrifugal and centripetal forces?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

In physics, a centrifugal force is one that acts outwardly on a body moving around a center. A centripetal force acts inwardly (i.e. towards the center) on a body moving around a center.

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How do I stop my centrifuge from spinning if it is not stopping?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

If for some reason the power button is not working, unplug the centrifuge. The centrifuge will eventually stop spinning once its source of power is removed, even if the momentum of the centrifuge keeps it spinning for a little bit. Do not try to stop the centrifuge with your hands or any other objects. It will eventually stop so just be patient.

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Question

Why is a heater used in a centrifuge machine?

Community Answer

The heater is used to keep samples at a certain temperature, often to make it easier to mix substances together.

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Question

Will the imbalance or speed of a centrifuge cause a serum to turn a pink color?

Community Answer

The imbalance of a centrifuge would cause test tubes to break. The speed determines how quickly the product would be centrifuged, and may change the appearance/thickness of the outcome.

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Question

How do I balance the load if there is only one sample test tube?

Community Answer

The tube opposite your sample tube should be filled with water of equal mass. It's very important that the mass is the same, not the volume.

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What kind of liquid do I use with a centrifuge?

Community Answer

A centrifuge can be used with nearly any unfrozen liquid, as long as the container is tightly sealed.

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Question

Why do I get fine crack-lines in the tube?

Community Answer

Sometimes when the tube is not the right size for the rotor it will vibrate inside the centrifuge, often resulting in cracks on the tube. Make sure you check the size of your tubes before using the centrifuge.

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How much solution can I put in a 15 ml test tube?

Community Answer

3/4 of the volume is filled as a standard procedure. 10 to 12 ml should be sufficient.

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Question

How much solution can I put in a 15-milliliter test tube?

Community Answer

Filled to 3/4 of the volume is standard procedure, so 10 to 12 ml is sufficient.

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